Most people put a load of time and effort into finding the perfect running shoe; however, not nearly as many pay close enough attention to the barrier they plan on placing between their beloved feet and the expensive new sneakers. Selecting the right socks, ones that not only fit your feet well, but also can perform under pressure, will save you hours of blistery pain and frustration.

Just reaching deep down into your sock drawer to grab whatever is clean can be fatal. Inevitably, your heels will rub themselves raw and the sides of your toes will burn. Compound the flawed choice in sock with tough conditions—rain, mud, snow—and you have created a recipe for skin disaster that can put a quick stop to your training.

So, knowing that your choice of socks is critical, consider the following ideas to ensure comfort:

*Choose a synthetic-based sock, primarily made from polyester, which will wick away moisture and not scratch away at your feet. Running in traditional cotton socks is a practice long gone. Cotton absorbs and retains moisture, making the sock ill-fitting and cumbersome, which leads to irritation and blistering.

*Select the proper size sock. A slim-fitting sock of appropriate height that fully covers the foot and Achilles heel will provide sufficient coverage and protection. Conversely, socks that are too big will bunch up and rub against your skin, and ones that are too small will permit the shoe to rub on the ankle, both resulting in chaffing and blistering.

*Try the socks on with your running shoes. Just reading the package or trying them on without putting them in a shoe is sentencing your feet to death. To properly judge a sock's thickness, put it on and then lace up your running shoe. Feel if it is too constricting, and notice the parts that have additional padding. Most socks purchased these days are thin and snug, so try those first.

In the end, if your socks feel wrong, change them. Take care of your feet so they can take care of you.